Abbots Langley data centre set for six-day appeal next month

On January 18, Three Rivers' planning committee unanimously refused permission for the hyperscale project in a field alongside Bedmond Road and the M25 in Abbots Langley.

An appeal was lodged with the government planning inspectorate in June and after the Labour government was elected, it was announced that Deputy PM Angela Rayner will have the final say following a six-day inquiry starting on Tuesday, October 8.

How the proposed Abbots Langley data centre could look from above. (Image: Pegasus Group/Greystoke Land/Three Rivers District Council) If approved, the data centre would span the area of 12 football pitches, and the government will consider the development’s effect on the “openness” of the green belt as well as the area’s character and appearance, according to a document released in August.

Inspectors will also judge whether the project would make an appropriate and sustainable transport contribution, and if “very special circumstances” exist to outweigh the potential harm to the green belt.

Deputy PM Angela Rayner will have the final say on the data centre appeal. (Image: PA) TRDC had given three reasons for refusal: that the application failed to demonstrate the “very special circumstances” required, that it would fail to protect the natural environment due to its size, and it would "result in significant demonstrable harm” to the area and natural environment.

The appellant, Greystoke Land, has previously said that “the UK needs large data centres to support economic growth and digital leadership”.

It has also claimed this need is “overwhelming”, “urgent”, and “of national importance”, adding that the proposal would make “an important contribution towards meeting that need”.

A CGI showing how the buildings would look. (Image: Pegasus Group/Greystoke Land/Three Rivers District Council)

Greystoke Land has accepted the plan would damage the openness of the green belt but highlighted that the site is right next to the M25 and argued that overall the positives “clearly” outweigh the harm.

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On the first day, Greystoke Land and Three Rivers will be invited to make opening statements before the inquiry will hear from any “interested parties”.

A round-table discussion will be held to hear the conditions for the project and the proposed planning obligations, which are legal commitments intended to mitigate the effects of developments.

Once the inquiry has concluded, the planning inspectorate will prepare a report for the secretary of state for housing, communities, and local government MP Angela Rayner, who will make the final decision.